Four French killed in Antarctic copter crash
Sunday, 31 October 2010
ADELAIDE, Australia, Oct 30 (AP): All four people on a French helicopter that crashed this week in rough weather in Antarctica were confirmed dead Saturday, Australian and French rescuers said. Another helicopter from Dumont-d'Urville scientific station in Antarctica flew to the site of the crashed aircraft and a doctor on board confirmed the deaths, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said in a statement.
The helicopter crashed Thursday night and its distress beacon was activated about 62 miles (100 kilometers) from Dumont-d'Urville. Heavy clouds obscuring visibility prevented searches by helicopter, so a U.S. Air Force C17 and an Australian air force plane flew over the site.
The Australian plane spotted what appeared to be three bodies on Friday evening and dropped survival equipment in case there were any survivors.
The helicopter crashed Thursday night and its distress beacon was activated about 62 miles (100 kilometers) from Dumont-d'Urville. Heavy clouds obscuring visibility prevented searches by helicopter, so a U.S. Air Force C17 and an Australian air force plane flew over the site.
The Australian plane spotted what appeared to be three bodies on Friday evening and dropped survival equipment in case there were any survivors.